First Day, First Twist
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— Hernan University —
Andrei's POV
So this is Hernan University—clean, full of trees, bustling with people, and filled with dreams.
I finally made it to the university—good thing there was a ride available when I left home earlier. I guess I really do need to stay in a dorm so I won't have such a hard time commuting… besides, I always wake up late.
So embarrassing—first day and this is already how I'm starting. Sigh.
I kept walking toward my classroom. Wow, walking here is exhausting—the campus is so big I might even get lost.
I've been walking for a while now—I feel like I've already toured the whole university searching for my department. I was already out of breath and starting to feel dizzy—with all these buildings under construction, there aren't even any signs to guide you. Seriously unbelievable.
"Bad luck, Andrei!" I muttered to myself, letting out a deep sigh. I ended up sitting down on a bench to rest for a while.
A moment later, a guy walked up to me, calling out so I turned to look.
"You okay?" he asked as he walked closer and sat down next to me.
"Ah, yeah, I'm fine," I answered with a small smile.
"You don't look fine to me," he said right away.
"I've just been walking around for a while now, looking for my department… but with Hernan being so huge, I think I got lost," I explained with a smile.
"I see!" he said, smiling back at me.
"So, what's your course?" he asked again.
"Uhm, Engineering!" I replied.
"Hey, we're the same!" he said, suddenly standing up from the shock and excitement.
"Overacting!" I teased, and we both laughed.
"It's right in front, beside the Hernan Gymnasium!" he told me.
"What!?" I exclaimed. "I've been walking all over here—I think I've toured the whole Hernan campus already!" I added.
"Then why are you here?" I asked him.
"I just wanted to walk around and explore… then I happened to see you earlier, already out of breath from walking, so I came over. I didn't think you'd end up being my classmate!" he explained.
"By the way, we've been talking for a while but I still don't know your name," he said.
"I'm Andrei Calister Rivera—Drei for short. You?" I replied.
"I'm Justin Montefalco. Nice meeting you, Drei," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. I didn't hesitate to shake his hand.
"Let's go, let's walk together," he said, putting his arm around my shoulder.
So we went to the department together. Good thing he found me—otherwise, I might still be sitting on that bench right now.
A few minutes later, we finally arrived at our department. I couldn't help but sigh over everything that had just happened. I could have been here much earlier if I hadn't gotten lost.
As soon as I entered the room, I was shocked by what I saw.
It was as if the world suddenly stopped, the air changed, and the clock slowed down. I couldn't believe what I was seeing—my whole body froze from the shock.
And I couldn't take my eyes off him. Our eyes locked. I pinched my cheek and even bit my tongue. This was real. I wasn't dreaming.
"R–Ray–ver??"
Was what I was seeing real? Or was I just dreaming again?
Or maybe I was just mistaken?
A tap on my shoulder snapped me back to reality.
"Hey, who are you staring at?" Justin asked, glancing toward where I had been looking earlier.
"Ah, no one!" I quickly made an excuse.
I continued walking and found an empty seat while Justin sat behind me.
But I still couldn't help glancing at him. Something in me felt certain—it really was Rayver.
I couldn't sit still. My thoughts kept spinning, and I found myself looking back at him over and over. I couldn't shake the image of our eyes meeting—it was like I had been transported back to the past.
Seconds later, our professor finally arrived.
"Okay class, good morning!" he greeted.
"Good morning, Professor," we all responded.
"Alright, please be seated," he said, and we all sat down.
"By the way, I'm Professor William, and since this is our first meeting, let's get to know each other. Just a short introduction about yourself," he instructed, and the introductions began.
Then, it was his turn to introduce himself at the front. My heart started pounding uncontrollably.
"A pleasant morning to everyone. My name is Rayver Anthony Valinder—"
"R–Ray–ver!?"
I was completely stunned at what I heard. I wasn't wrong. It really was Rayver—
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"Some faces, no matter how long it's been, will always feel like coming home."
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